CIMA Qualification Pathway
Structured Courses and Eligibility Requirements for Each Level
CIMA Qualification Pathway
CIMA membership is open to individuals worldwide, irrespective of their country of origin. To become a member of the Center for International Mediators and Arbitrators (CIMA), you choose an approved level—Associate (ACIMArb), Member (MCIMArb), or Fellow (FCIMArb)—. You can join by completing a CIMA-approved training course or showing equivalent qualifications; in which case, you apply online with your documents and pay the expedited membership fee. Once approved, you receive your certificate and post nominals and join a global network of ADR professionals.
ASSOCIATE (ACIMArb)
Law, Practice & Procedure in Domestic and International Arbitration
Purpose:
To introduce aspiring ADR professionals to the fundamentals of arbitration and mediation in domestic and international contexts.
Modules:
- Introduction to Domestic and International Arbitration
- Arbitration Agreements
- Domestic and International Legal Framework
- Overview of Arbitration Proceedings and Practice
- Arbitration Award and Enforcement
- Ethics, Independence, Cybersecurity and AI
Details:
Duration: 2–3 days
Format: In-person / Virtual
Assessment: Multiple-choice
Eligibility:
- All professionals (law/non-law)
- No prior ADR training required
- Application & fee payment
Outcome:
- Certificate of Completion
- Eligible for ACIMArb
- Progress to Member level
MEMBER (MCIMArb)
Advanced Law, Practice & Procedure in Domestic and International Arbitration
Purpose:
To develop deeper understanding of arbitration procedures, award writing, and legal foundations.
Modules:
- Business Law/Law of Obligations
- Private International Law
- Case Management
- Mock Arbitration and Exercises
Details:
Duration: 3–5 days
Assessment: Written or Exemption Exam
Eligibility:
- All professionals (law/non-law)
- ACIMArb required
- Application & fee payment
Outcome:
- Certificate of Membership
- Eligible for FCIMArb
- Progress to Fellowship level
FELLOW (FCIMArb)
Purpose
To equip participants with the highest competence to serve as lead arbitrators or expert neutrals.
Modules:
- Arbitration Advocacy, Evidence, and Decision-Making
- Award Writing & Dissertation
- Ethics & Conduct
- Arbitral Practice and Emerging Issues
Details:
Duration: 5-day intensive + dissertation (7 days–2 months)
Assessment: Take-home award writing
Eligibility:
- MCIMArb or equivalent
- 7+ years ADR or 10+ legal experience
- Proven award-writing skills
- CV & application submission
- Accelerated route: Law degree + experience
Outcome:
- Certificate of Fellowship
- Use post-nominal FCIMArb
- Listed on CIMA panels
- Eligible to train, mentor, examine
EXPEDITED ROUTE TO MEMBERSHIP
Expedited Route to Membership in International Arbitration
Purpose:
Expedited Route to MCIMArb Membership — a fast-track pathway designed for legal professionals, ADR practitioners, and those with foundational ADR training (e.g., LLM (ADR) holders) seeking Mid-Level Professional Accreditation in Domestic and International Arbitration.
Modules:
- Principles of Domestic and International Arbitration Law
- Arbitration Agreement
- Commencement and Appointment Procedures
- Tribunal, Procedural Rules and Case Management
- Interlocutory Applications and Challenges
- Hearing Process and Taking of Evidence
- Award – Essentials and Enforceability
- Arbitral Ethics, Independence, and Impartiality
Grading:
Your submission will be evaluated by an assessor based on:
- Understanding of arbitration principles
- Application to facts/scenarios
- Professional writing and structure
Eligibility:
- LL.M holders, ACIMArb members, or experienced legal professionals
- Demonstrated knowledge of arbitration law and procedure
What the Route Includes:
- Assessment Paper (scenario-based and reflective questions)
- 14-day submission timeline
- Certificate of Membership, MCIMArb (England & Wales) upon successful completion
Benefits:
- Use of the post-nominal MCIMArb
- Access to advanced arbitration training
- Eligibility for Fellowship Pathway (FCIMArb)
EXPEDITED ROUTE TO FELLOWSHIP
Expedited Route to Fellowship in International Arbitration
Purpose:
To equip participants with the highest competence to serve as lead arbitrators or expert neutrals.
Modules:
- Domestic and International Legal Framework: UNCITRAL Model Law, New York Convention and National Legislation
- Law of Obligations and Substantive Law in Arbitration
- Constitution of Tribunal and Challenges to Jurisdiction
- Case Management and Procedural Timetabling
- Evidence and Hearing Management
- Drafting the Award, Enforcement and Setting Aside of Awards
- Ethics and Professional Conduct
Assessment:
- Participation in workshops and discussions
- Award Writing Examination (48-hour take-home assessment)
Details:
Duration: 5-day intensive + dissertation (7 days–2 months)
Assessment: Take-home award writing
Eligibility:
- MCIMArb or equivalent
- 7+ years ADR or 10+ legal experience
- Proven award-writing skills
- CV & application submission
- Accelerated route: Law degree + experience
Outcome:
- Certificate of Fellowship
- Use post-nominal FCIMArb
- Listed on CIMA panels
- Eligible to train, mentor, examine
Student Member – Free
Purpose:
Student Membership is a prestigious yet entirely free opportunity for students who are passionate about mediation, arbitration, negotiation, and dispute resolution.
Eligibility:
- Open to all students of any country currently enrolled in a recognised undergraduate or postgraduate programme (law or non-law).
- Applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in dispute resolution.
- A valid student ID or proof of enrolment is required.
Membership Benefits:
- Free access to a global network of ADR professionals and student peers.
- Invitations to attend exclusive CIMA student-focused training sessions, seminars, and webinars.
- Discounted rates on professional CIMA certification courses and conferences.
- Eligibility to participate in CIMA Essay Competitions, Moots, and Advocacy Clinics.
- Access to mentorship from experienced arbitrators and mediators.
- Subscription to the CIMA Bulletins featuring trends, case notes, and expert commentary.
- Opportunities for internships, research fellowships, and engagement in CIMA working groups.
Global Exposure:
Student Members are inducted into a diverse international community spanning over 30 countries, fostering cross-cultural exchange, academic growth, and early career opportunities.
Pathway to Recognition:
Our student members get on a guided track toward Associate Membership (ACIMArb), with structured opportunities for progression as their academic and professional journeys evolve.
REGISTER AS A STUDENT MEMBER
Progression Table
| Level | Course Title | Eligibility | Post Nominal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | Introduction to Law, Practice & Procedure in Arbitration | Open to all; no prior ADR experience | ACIMArb |
| Member | Advanced Law, Practice & Procedure in International Arb. | ACIMArb or equivalent; legal training | MCIMArb |
| Fellow | Qualifying Route to Fellowship | MCIMArb or 10+ years of ADR/legal practice | FCIMArb |
Progression Table
With CIMA, the designation “Certified International Arbitrator” is not an official title per se. However, in practical and professional terms, the level that is most commonly regarded as indicating that one is a fully qualified international arbitrator Fellow (FCIMArb). The reason is that:- It is the highest level of membership in CIMA (England & Wales).
- Fellowship is awarded only after completing rigorous training, including:
-
- Law practice and procedure in domestic and international arbitration
- Arbitral award writing
- Assessments (written and/or oral)
- Recognized internationally as the benchmark qualification to sit as an arbitrator in complex domestic and cross-border disputes.
Overview of CIMA Levels
| Level | Post Nominal | Qualification Description | Recognised as |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate | ACIMArb | Introductory knowledge; suitable for support roles | Arbitration Associate |
| Member | MCIMArb | Intermediate; can participate in arbitral process | Arbitration Practitioner |
| Fellow | FCIMArb | Advanced; meets global standards to sit as arbitrator | Certified International Arbitrator |
CIMA Brochure
Company Brochure
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Career and Job Opportunities
A. Legal and ADR Sector
- Arbitrator (Domestic & International) – FCIMArb holders may be appointed as sole or presiding arbitrators in commercial, construction, and investor-state disputes.
- Tribunal Secretary or Registrar – MCIMArb and ACIMArb holders are eligible for support roles in institutional and ad hoc arbitrations.
- Mediator / Conciliator – Especially where CIMA’s ADR training includes mediation competencies.
- Arbitral Counsel (ADR/Dispute Resolution Unit) – In law firms, banks, multinationals, and regulatory agencies.
- In-House Legal & Compliance Officer – Equipped with dispute avoidance and settlement skills.
- ADR Researcher / Consultant – For NGOs, think tanks, and international organizations.
B. Public Sector and Judiciary
- Registrar or Staff of Arbitration Centers
- Court-Connected ADR Officer
- Policy Advisor on Dispute Resolution – Ministries of Justice, Trade, Foreign Affairs
- Judicial Training Support – Supporting court-annexed ADR reforms
C. International Organizations and Development Bodies
- UN, UNCITRAL, AfCFTA Secretariat, OHADA, ECOWAS – Technical consultants and dispute resolution experts
- The World Bank & International Finance Corporation (IFC) – Project evaluators, compliance officers with ADR focus
D. Academic and Training Roles
- ADR Lecturer or Trainer – In universities, law schools, and professional institutes
- Conference Speaker / Panelist – At bar association events, international ADR forums, and training workshops
E. Private Practice and Consultancy
- Establishing an ADR Law Practice or Firm
- Panel Membership – With local and international arbitration institutions (e.g., CIMA, NCIA, KCIA, CIArb, ICC, LCIA, DIAC)
- Contractual Negotiation Consultant
- Business Development in Dispute Prevention and Resolution
Certificate and Post-Nominal Recognition
| Level | Certificate Outcome | Recognition Status |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | Certificate of Associate Member + ACIMArb title | Recognised by professional institutions, courts, and ADR providers as proof of foundational competence |
| Member | Certificate of Membership + MCIMArb title | Recognised as an advanced practitioner eligible for appointments and further training |
| Fellow | Certificate of Fellowship + FCIMArb title | FCIMArb Certificate of Fellowship + FCIMArb title Highly regarded internationally; denotes professional excellence and leadership in ADR |
Institutional & International Recognition:
- Accepted by law firms, courts, and arbitration centres across Africa, the UK, and the Commonwealth
- Eligible for reciprocal recognition with partner institutions
- Meets international best practices aligned with UNCITRAL and CIArb standards
- Valued by bar associations, judicial training institutions, and law faculties globally
Why Your CIMA Certificate Matters
Your CIMA certificate at any level is not merely academic—it is a professional badge of trust, competence, and credibility. It opens doors to:
- Domestic and Cross-border practice
- Panel appointments locally and internationally.
- Consultancy engagements
- Access to a global network of ADR professionals
- Teaching and mentorship roles
CIMA Mediation Qualification Pathway
1. Associate Level – ACIMed
Course Title: Law, Practice and Procedure in Domestic and International Mediation
• Duration: 3 days (or equivalent contact hours)
• Assessment: Multiple-choice or short-answer test
• Eligibility: Open to all professionals with interest in mediation
• Assessment: Multiple-choice or short-answer test
• Eligibility: Open to all professionals with interest in mediation
Core Topics:
- Nature and Scope of Mediation
- Principles of Voluntariness, Confidentiality, and Neutrality
- Mediation Stages: Opening, Exploration, Negotiation, Agreement
- Role of the Mediator vs. Arbitrator or Judge
- Introduction to Mediation Legal Frameworks (Singapore Convention, UNCITRAL, National Legislation etc.)
- Institutional vs. Ad hoc Mediation Processes
Mock Mediation and Exercises
Entry Qualifications:
- Open to all professionals (legal and non-legal backgrounds)
- No prior legal or ADR experience required
- Interest in ADR, conflict resolution, or peacebuilding required
2. Member Level – MCIMed
Course Title: Advanced Law, Practice and Procedure in Domestic and International Mediation
• Duration: 5 days
• Assessment: Simulated mediation + open-book written assessment
• Prerequisite: ACIMed or equivalent experience
• Assessment: Simulated mediation + open-book written assessment
• Prerequisite: ACIMed or equivalent experience
Core Topics:
- Advanced Mediation Techniques and Process Design
- Mediation Advocacy and Party Representation
- Ethics and Professional Standards for Mediators
- Multi-party and Cross-border Mediation
- Drafting and Enforcing Settlement Agreements
- Confidentiality and Admissibility under Evidence Law
- Comparative Mediation Laws and Regulations (Domestic and International)
- Institutional Rules and Codes of Conduct
Mock Mediation and Exercises
Entry Qualifications:
- Completion of ACIMed or equivalent foundational course
- OR: Law degree, or proven ADR/mediation practice experience
- Must demonstrate basic mediation or conflict resolution training
3. Fellowship Level – FCIMed
Course Title: Mastery in International Mediation Practice, Ethics, and Policy
• Duration: 6–8 days + dissertation
• Assessment:
o Assessed role-play mediations
o Case analysis report
o Submission of a dissertation or capstone paper
o Peer and trainer evaluation
• Prerequisite: MCIMed + relevant mediation experience
• Assessment:
o Assessed role-play mediations
o Case analysis report
o Submission of a dissertation or capstone paper
o Peer and trainer evaluation
• Prerequisite: MCIMed + relevant mediation experience
Core Topics:
- Complex, High-Stakes, and Cross-Cultural Mediations
- Mediation in Investor-State and Public International Law
- Med-Arb and Hybrid Dispute Resolution Models
- Ethics in International and Multilateral Mediation
- Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and AI in Mediation
- System Design for Dispute Prevention and Resolution
- Global Trends and Policy Innovation in Mediation Practice
Mock Mediation and Exercises
Entry Qualifications:
- Completion of MCIMed or equivalent training
- Proven mediation experience (minimum 20 mediations or 10 years cumulative experience)
- Law degree, postgraduate degree, or senior professional status preferred
- Submission of mediation portfolio or references may be required
